Saalbach holidays

Popular holidays

Alpine charm and lots to do – holidays to Saalbach in the Glemm Valley mix standout scenery with all-you-can do activities.

Strolling and rolling

With over 400km of walking trails, Saalbach serves up some serious stats if you’re eager to stretch your legs. From all-day outings to short loops and themed trails made with little ones in mind, there’s an option for everyone. Six different summer lifts make it easy to get up into the mountains and stand on a summit or two to take in the Hohe Tauern mountains – plus, you can ride for free with your Joker Card (included with your stay at selected accommodations). Try the Panorama trail to take in three summits and two lakes on one walk, or join one of the free guided walks organised by the tourist board if you’d prefer to keep your map in your pocket. And if cycling’s your thing, you’ve got Austria’s biggest network of mountain bike trails on your doorstep.

Authentically Austrian

This is your picture-postcard Austrian village. Streets of buildings with timber balconies cluster around the onion-domed church, and all around are woods, meadows and more mountains than you can count. There’s authentic culture around every corner here too. You can get a taste for local faves from strudel to schnitzel in mountain huts and village cafés. In nearby Maishofen, lift the lid on what goes into making the country’s best-loved spirit at the Schnapps museum. And to discover the story of the place from Medieval times to now, you can’t miss the Heimathaus Museum.

Activities for days

Saalbach’s serves up activities galore, so you’re sorted whatever type of trip is on the cards. The Alpine Golden Gate Bridge and Treetop Trail takes you up among the topmost branches of a pine forest. And just down the road you’ve got Europe’s biggest high-ropes park for even more up-in-the-air thrills. Or if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, how about mini-golf or Archery? And for some family-friendly fun, the Käpt’n Hook Adventure Pool is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser with its slides and flumes.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Saalbach:

• Bike hire
• Guided mountain walks
• Cycle routes
• Torchlit walks
• Waterfalls
• Indoor pool
• Outdoor pool
• Tennis courts
• Minigolf
• Wildlife spotting

Popular hotels in Saalbach

Top things to see and do in Saalbach

Shopping

Bargain buys

Pop down the road to the neighbouring town of Hinterglemm to visit the weekly street market. Held in the evenings, the market is also a festival so you can shop for bargains in a party atmosphere.

Mid-range buys

Saalbach has a limited number of shops but if you're looking for casual clothes there are a few sports shops to browse.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Saalbach is a pedestrianised town, and going for an evening wander is a great way to soak up the feel of the valley. The town regularly hosts concerts and festivals.

Lively evenings

Saalbach has a relaxed but fun evening atmosphere, perfect if you want a few drinks. However, not all bars are open during the summer months so it's worth checking before you go somewhere.

Food & drink

Eating in town

In the town of Saalbach itself you'll find lots of hotels and à la carte restaurants dotted around town, which serve up a variety of Austrian and international cuisines, from Italian to American to Mexican.

In the hills

Like many other Austrian resorts, Saalbach has a wealth of alms (or huts) on the mountains. These offer a fantastic range of authentic Austrian dishes for you to feast on.

Getting about

Buses

Use of the local walkers' buses is free with a Joker Card so you can easily get to Hinterglemm and Lengau. There's also a normal bus to Zell am See.

Summer lifts

Unlimited use of the summer lifts in the area is free with a Joker Card. Saalbach has the Schattberg X-Press and Kohlmais cable cars, and Hinterglemm has the Reiterkogel and Zwolferkogel cable cars. The lifts open from beginning of June until the end of September.

Trains

There's a tourist train, the Talschlusszug, which runs to Hinterglemm and is free with a Joker Card. The closest train station is in Maishofen Saalbach (25 minutes by bus), from which you can catch a train to Salzburg (1 hour 30 minutes) and Innsbruck (2 hours 15 minutes).

On foot

Originally a small farming village, Saalbach has retained many of its traditional features and charm. Stroll around town, breathing in the fresh mountain air, before venturing out to explore the surrounding pastures and mountains.

Walking

Guided walks

The Glemm Valley is perfect for walkers, with over 400km of marked trails to suit every ability level. The Joker Card, free from many hotels, gives you unlimited access to the summer lifts and up to seven guided walks per week.

Herbal and Alpine Flora Trail

This gentle walk gives you the chance to learn more about the 200 different types of herb and Alpine flower in the region. Hop on the Reiterkogel lift and take it up to the top station. Find walking path no. 5 and follow it for about 20 minutes. There are tours every Wednesday, with guides who will explain more about the medicinal and homeopathic uses of the various plants.

Tourist office information

If you fancy striking out on your own walk rather than go with a guide, the tourist office can give you details of over 30 different routes. There are plenty of places to grab a drink and a bite to eat while enjoying the scenery.